Every stage of the Teach First (Teach Lead Change) application: the form, the 50-minute task-based assessment, screening and the Development Centre.
Closest practice: Arctic Shores-style task simulations. Teach First's current page names no provider and also describes competency questions, so rehearse written and spoken answers too.
By the Game Assessment Prep research teamUpdated November 10, 2026How we research
Teach First calls its online stage a task-based assessment. Practice both formats it could take: interactive tasks and written competency answers.
Similar format
An earlier Teach First help page named Arctic Shores as the host. These task simulations build familiarity with that format; they are not Teach First's own assessment.
Source: Teach First knowledge base (former page, now redirected)
Explore Task-based assessment formatsCategory practice
The assessment asks competency questions on motivation, leadership and adaptability, and the Development Centre includes an interview. Rehearse structured answers.
Source: Teach Lead Change — Apply
Explore Competency answers and interviewTeach First runs the Training Programme, a salaried route into teaching in schools serving disadvantaged communities. Its recruitment site now runs under the Teach Lead Change name at teachleadchange.org.uk, and old teachfirst.org.uk application pages redirect there.
The selection process has four stages. This guide quotes Teach First's own wording for each one and separates it from what preparation sites and candidates report.
Teach First asks for a UK honours degree (or equivalent) at 2:1 or above, with 2:2s considered for secondary teaching only, plus GCSEs at grade 4/C in English and maths (and a science for primary). You need the right to work in the UK for the full programme; Teach First cannot sponsor visas.
Source: Teach Lead Change — Eligibility
You cannot apply if you already hold a PGCE or QTS, or have accepted a PGCE place this year.
Source: Teach Lead Change — Eligibility
Teach First says you can complete only one application per recruitment window, and that applications with five or more spelling or grammar errors will be failed.
"One working day after submitting your application, you will be sent an online task-based assessment. This must be completed within five days." Teach First lists it as 50 minutes.
Source: Teach Lead Change — Apply
Teach First says: "You will be asked to answer competency-based questions about your motivation, leadership and adaptability." You can also tell Teach First about any additional experiences you feel are relevant.
Source: Teach Lead Change — Apply
The current apply page names no provider. An earlier Teach First help page on the task-based assessment, now redirected to the apply page, described it as hosted by Arctic Shores, whose assessments use interactive tasks rather than questions. The current wording also describes competency questions, so prepare for both formats.
Source: Teach First knowledge base (former page, now redirected)
Applications are assessed individually and the outcome arrives within 20 working days. Teach First says the form is screened anonymously, all applications are reviewed by experienced assessors, and it does not use generative AI to assess or screen applications.
"If your online application is successful you will be invited to attend our Development Centre." Teach First lists it as one day. The current page gives no further detail on its exercises.
Source: Teach Lead Change — Apply
A preparation site describes three exercises: a short sample lesson on a topic emailed about a week ahead, followed by a written self-evaluation; a group case study with a one-to-one discussion afterwards; and a 30-minute competency interview. Candidate reviews give lesson lengths from about four to seven minutes. Teach First's current page does not confirm this format.
Source: AssessmentCentreHQ — Teach First assessment centre guide
Teach First publishes the time each stage takes.
Source: Teach Lead Change — Apply
Teach First publishes advice for the written answers. It applies to the competency questions too.
Teach First had not published dates for the next recruitment window when this guide was reviewed on November 10, 2026.
| Cycle | Application dates | Likely assessment window | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next recruitment window | Not yet published | Five days from the invitation, sent one working day after you apply | Official source The eligibility page says it will be updated when applications open, from early 2027, and uses a June 2027 start as its right-to-work example. Source: Teach Lead Change — Eligibility |
Keep the five-day window clear. The assessment arrives one working day after you submit, so apply when you can sit a 50-minute session in the following days.
Prepare your examples before you apply. The form, the competency questions and the Development Centre interview all draw on the same evidence of motivation, leadership and adaptability.
Two each for motivation, leadership and adaptability. Write each in Context, Actions, Result form and note what you would do differently.
Play a few interactive task simulations so the controls and pacing feel familiar. Use any practice round in the real assessment fully.
Teach First fails applications with five or more spelling or grammar errors. Read your answers aloud before you submit.
Candidates report a short sample lesson at the Development Centre. Practice explaining one idea in your subject clearly, with a check for understanding, then write an honest self-evaluation.
Teach First lists it as 50 minutes. It is sent one working day after you submit your application and must be completed within five days.
Teach First says it asks competency-based questions about your motivation, leadership and adaptability, and gives you a chance to share any other relevant experience.
The current apply page names no provider. An earlier Teach First help page, now redirected, said the task-based assessment was hosted by Arctic Shores. Check your invitation email for the platform.
Teach First says the outcome of screening is sent within 20 working days.
Teach First's current page says only that it lasts one day. A preparation site and candidate reviews describe a short sample lesson with a written self-evaluation, a group case study and a competency interview.
Yes, for secondary teaching only. Primary requires a 2:1 or above.
The sources below support this guide. Claim labels distinguish official information, candidate reports, and research inferences.
Teach First (Teach Lead Change) · Accessed
Teach First (Teach Lead Change) · Accessed
Teach First (Teach Lead Change) · Accessed
Teach First · Accessed
AssessmentCentreHQ · Accessed
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